Well I just joined the site today because over the weekend my Mom offered to pay for me to have the surgery. :thumbup:I told her I wanted to do some research before I even had a consult, so here I am!

I can't find the thread I read earlier but someone responded to a question saying that they don't usually perform the surgery for someone with a BMI under 40, is that the case with all doctors? I'm in Austin, TX has anyone had the surgery over my way?

Hi, and welcome to LBT. What a great mom you have!

If you have insurance that covers weight loss surgery, often times they require you to have one or two documented medical problems (sleep apnea, high bp, diabetes, to name a few) besides obesity if your bmi is under 40. I think a bmi of 35 is usually the lower end cutoff.

I was self pay and my bmi was under 40 but over 35, and I had no other medical issues and had no problem qualifying for the surgery. I'm not in Texas though, but that seems to usually be the norm.

Well luckily I don't have any health problems, but I know that is a strike against me. I'm 25, 5'6", 210 lbs, with a BMI of 34. I read some people gained weight, but crap! I don't want to gain and have to loose more! My insurance ends at the end of this year so I know they won't pay for it. So it would definitely be an out of pocket expense.

Since you're self pay, talk to a local surgeon about the bmi requirement. Also, if you're a bit under 5'6", round down, even if by half an inch. You're close, so if you're scales are a bit off that could factor in.

And wear jeans and a sweater to the office! That would add a couple of pounds

And wear jeans and a sweater to the office! That would add a couple of pounds

Especially if the pockets are full of coins and other heavy objects

LOL, coins...right on!

In my research I found doctors can do basically whatever they want if they don't have to go through medical insurance. Those requirements about weight and BMI are insurance requirements mostly. I read someone on here had a BMI of 35 and had it done in Mexico, it only about 8 grand...my insruance paid double!

Good luck!